Brown's brief agenda stokes 2009 election talk

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is seen in a carriage as she travels from the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, after the State Opening of Parliament. The British government will attempt to shield people from the economic slowdown with measures that include the creation of a new state-backed savings account for low-income families, according to a draft of a speech by Queen Elizabeth II that lays out next year's legislative agenda. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
— AP

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is seen in a carriage as she travels from the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, after the State Opening of Parliament. The British government will attempt to shield people from the economic slowdown with measures that include the creation of a new state-backed savings account for low-income families, according to a draft of a speech by Queen Elizabeth II that lays out next year's legislative agenda. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
/ AP

LONDON 
Vowing to shield Britons from the economic downturn, Prime Minister Gordon Brown laid out a populist – but brief – agenda on Wednesday that stoked expectations he would call a national election next year.

Queen Elizabeth II, wearing an imperial state crown decorated with almost 3,000 diamonds, read aloud Brown's legislative plans in a colorful ceremony at the House of Lords, symbolically beginning the new parliamentary year.

Brown is staking his political future on attempts to help low-income families cope with the financial crisis, crack down on minor crime and restrict illegal immigration.

From early next year, he will offer help to people at risk of foreclosure, allowing some struggling Britons to defer part of their mortgage interest payments for up to two years.

Critics claim the measure is aimed at helping Brown keep his own home – the prime minister's official residence at No. 10 Downing Street.

"This is all about the prime minister's short-term future, not the long-term future of the country," opposition Conservative Party chief David Cameron said, responding to the queen's speech in a debate.

"Will he get on and call an election so the people can put this government out of its misery?" Cameron asked.

Setting out Brown's plans in her annual speech, the queen said Britain will press for a Mideast peace settlement, look for new ways to curb Iran's nuclear program and introduce new laws to promote equality, including affirmative action.

But the "government's overriding priority is to ensure the stability of the British economy during the global economic downturn," the queen said, speaking from a gilded throne following an opulent procession from Buckingham Palace.

The queen, who has no role in drafting the legislative agenda, said other proposals include creating state-backed savings accounts and giving bank depositors more protection.

However, the speech contained only 15 proposed new laws, in contrast to 28 last year – fueling speculation that Brown hopes to quickly conclude Parliament's business and call an early election.

"I think it is another sign that we are heading toward an election in June 2009," said Patrick Dunleavy, a political analyst at the London School of Economics. "It's a very thin queen's speech."

Dunleavy expects Brown to call an election on June 4 – a date already slated for elections to local councils and the European Parliament. The prime minister must call a national election before mid-2010.

Anthony Wells, a polling analyst, said he agreed that Brown looks to be setting up a 2009 contest with Cameron, but said opinion polls show the opposition chief is likely to win.

"The polls have for over a year – with one rogue exception – shown the Tories are ahead," Wells said.

Under Brown's proposals, the government will give up to 8 million low-income Britons 50p ($0.73) for every 1 pound ($1.47) they deposit – up to a total of 300 pounds ($442) – in a new state savings scheme.

A law banning all unauthorized protests in a zone around Britain's Houses of Parliament will also be scrapped – a change Brown promised when he replaced Tony Blair last year.

But Brown ditched a proposal to give police and security officials wider powers to spy on Internet use, e-mails and phone calls.

The proposed bills must be debated and approved by both Houses of Parliament before they become law. Brown's government decides when over the coming year the plans will be put forward for a vote.